Hellish King Charles Portrait Inspires Award-Winning Metal Album Cover and Legal Battle
"It was the most hardcore demonic sh*t we'd ever seen, and we're in death metal!" said singer Blight Blackheart.
A controversial new painting of King Charles of the English royal family has become the unlikely inspiration for death metal band Eternal Suffering’s latest album cover, “Wicked Overlords.” What started as a nod to the painting’s demonic imagery has now escalated into a legal battle involving accusations of reputational damage, Faustian bargains, and the timeless allure of rock 'n' roll excess.
The official portrait, intended to capture the dignity and grace of the monarch, instead portrays King Charles in a manner more suited to a Satanic temple than a royal gallery. Clad in ominous red garb and surrounded by what appears to be a fiery red background, the painting quickly gained notoriety for its overtly evil aesthetic.
Unbeknownst to the royal court, Eternal Suffering seized upon the painting’s macabre allure and appropriated it for their album cover, which promptly garnered critical acclaim and a surprising win for “Best Metal Album Cover of 2024” at the prestigious Infernal Awards, edging out legendary acts like Slayer and Cannibal Corpse.
However, as news of the album’s success reached Buckingham Palace, King Charles himself was less than pleased. In a statement released by the royal legal team, the king expressed deep concern over the association of his likeness with such dark themes, citing potential damage to his reputation among more conservative circles.
The ensuing legal battle took a supernatural turn when Eternal Suffering, known for their theatrics both on and offstage, claimed to have made a literal deal with the devil—King Charles himself. Sources close to the band report that during a dramatic occult ritual involving black magic and slaughtered goats, the band members allegedly met with King Charles’ spectral form to negotiate a Faustian bargain for success and fame beyond their wildest dreams, while becoming the official music act for the royal family at ceremonies and functions.
Details of the pact remain shrouded in mystery, but Sir Paul McCartney has confirmed that one member of Eternal Suffering paid the ultimate price, as expected, echoing age-old rock legends of musicians striking deals with supernatural forces for fame and fortune. RIP bassist Mortis Venomspew.
As the legal battle rages on, with debates over artistic freedom, copyright infringement, and the metaphysical effects of dark rituals, music critics and royal family fans alike can’t help but wonder: is this a cautionary tale of ambition gone awry, or simply the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of rock 'n' roll excess? One thing’s for certain—the devil is in the details, and in this case, on the album cover of Wicked Overlords. What are your thoughts on the new King Charles portrait, and what other album titles might they have chosen? Let us know in the comments below!
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Context
The actual painting:
King Charles unveils haunting red portrait of himself: ‘Looks like he’s in hell’ -NY Post
Butterfly from Hell (fyi. as I was typing this my phone turned off)
“There is no doubt that we live in an age of unprecedented, and sometimes terrifying, technological advances where the speed of advance so often outstrips the necessary ethical considerations.” — King Chuckles the t’urd